Ekho Studio embodies urban infill with its first co-living project

Photography: Stevie Campbell

Tucked away to the side of Ealing Broadway station, Ekho Studio’s latest project marks its first step into the co-living market. Named The Apiary (after a buzzing beehive), the new 81-unit scheme is a prime example of urban infill (the process of developing on vacant or under-utilised spaces within cities), with a slim, new-build silhouette clad in pale grey brickwork. First designed to concept and planning stages by Turnerworks and delivered by architects 5PA, Ekho Studio were tapped to lead the interior design for the studio apartments, communal spaces and on-site amenities.

With the aim of maintaining this buzzing social atmosphere – aimed largely at young professionals – The Apiary will be run by operators Verv Life, who are set to introduce a programme of events bringing new residents together. Residents can find self-contained studios spread over nine storeys, with three premium, slightly larger studios located on the 63 sqm roof terrace. A shared amenity space – furnished with Domus laminate flooring – occupies the ground floor and is divided into four loose zones: a relaxed sofa and armchair lounge, a social group table, a bank of individual work desks and, finally, a separate, glazed meeting room with a central conference table by Andreau World. Supper club areas boasting larder kitchens and dining tables for 6-8 people can also be found on floors one and four, while up on the ninth, a multi-functional event space offers a screen and bar for hire, with doors leading out onto the shared terrace.

In the communal areas, abundant planting supplied by Beards & Daisies is joined by dramatic floor lamps, glass and ceramic pieces by HK Living, and soft furnishings with quirky, graphic prints. Meanwhile, studio apartments were decorated with a more neutral, understated palette, allowing future residents to make the space their own. Despite this lighter touch, one statement piece still appears in each apartment: upholstered, fluted headboards in a Panaz fabric continue across a whole wall and into the integrated desk unit, illuminated by overhead reading lights.

“It was important to strike a balance in the room designs, so that residents could feel they had enough of a blank canvas whilst not being so stark or anodyne they felt unwelcoming,” explains Ekho Studio’s Rachel Withey. “Whilst the design offers a luxe nod to hospitality spaces, these are resolutely places to live rather than transient, one-night environments.”